This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19921859
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Harvey Weinstein attacks 'free internet' | Harvey Weinstein attacks 'free internet' |
(35 minutes later) | |
US film producer Harvey Weinstein has criticised media giants Apple and Google for making content available under the guise of "free internet". | US film producer Harvey Weinstein has criticised media giants Apple and Google for making content available under the guise of "free internet". |
"It's a nonsensical idea," he told an audience at the London Film Festival, likening the notion to helping oneself to "free shirts" in a clothing store. | "It's a nonsensical idea," he told an audience at the London Film Festival, likening the notion to helping oneself to "free shirts" in a clothing store. |
Video-sharing sites like YouTube, he continued, were doing a "massive disservice" to the film industry. | Video-sharing sites like YouTube, he continued, were doing a "massive disservice" to the film industry. |
He went on to praise France for passing the world's "toughest" anti-piracy law. | He went on to praise France for passing the world's "toughest" anti-piracy law. |
In 2009, France adopted a so-called "three-strikes law" that means persistent pirates can be thrown offline. | In 2009, France adopted a so-called "three-strikes law" that means persistent pirates can be thrown offline. |
The legislation, Weinstein claimed, had "disincentivised" people to "steal" content and had resulted in a "robust" local industry. | The legislation, Weinstein claimed, had "disincentivised" people to "steal" content and had resulted in a "robust" local industry. |
The Miramax co-founder and Oscar-winning producer made his comments at a keynote address at the BFI Southbank on Thursday. | The Miramax co-founder and Oscar-winning producer made his comments at a keynote address at the BFI Southbank on Thursday. |
During his speech he identified the consolidation of media companies as another threat to independent-minded film-making, claiming it meant that "everyone plays it safe". | During his speech he identified the consolidation of media companies as another threat to independent-minded film-making, claiming it meant that "everyone plays it safe". |
"These companies make movies to make money," he said. "We too want to be profitable, but [also] to do something worthwhile and innovative." | "These companies make movies to make money," he said. "We too want to be profitable, but [also] to do something worthwhile and innovative." |
Yet his remarks have been questioned by a leading UK digital rights campaigner, who claimed the film industry was at least partly to blame for the losses it is facing at the hands of digital pirates. | |
"The industry hasn't made their own content easily available for low enough prices to move the market into legal services," said Jim Killock of the Open Rights Group. | |
"They've created the conditions for widespread copyright infringement and it's in their hands to change that. | |
"We've seen plenty of copyright markets function and flourish on the internet, books being a great example," Mr Killock went on to tell the BBC News website. | |
He also questioned the efficacy of Hadopi, the agency set up in France to police copyright infringement, suggesting it had become "an expensive white elephant". | |
Weinstein's support for such films as Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and The King's Speech has made him a major Hollywood player. | Weinstein's support for such films as Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and The King's Speech has made him a major Hollywood player. |
In 2004 he received a CBE in recognition of his contributions to the British film industry. | In 2004 he received a CBE in recognition of his contributions to the British film industry. |
Previous version
1
Next version